DARLINGTON'S off-field problems took another turn for the worse yesterday when Craig Liddle confirmed captain Ian Miller will leave the club seven months after lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley.

As revealed in The Northern Echo on Monday, Miller played his final game in Saturday's win over Cambridge United after handing in his notice to chairman Raj Singh and Liddle revealed the skipper may not be the last player to leave on such terms.

As they have only been paid a percentage of their November wages - which is a breach of their contract - players are allowed to give the club notice and if they are not paid what they are owed within 14 days, then they are free to leave.

Several others are considering following Miller and it is understood another player handed their notice in last weekend.

However in a further twist, the player - regarded as an integral part of the first-team - then received his outstanding wages hours after handing in his notice.

The remaining players are waiting for Singh to return from a business trip in the next few days to see where they stand but there are fears they will not receive their December wages which are due at the end of next week.

Despite staying during administration in 2009, the latest plight engulfing the club has proved to be the final straw for Miller, who handed in his notice on December 9 and becomes a free agent today.

His departure will be a bitter blow and leaves Liddle with a considerable gap to fill ahead of the Boxing Day trip to rivals Gateshead.

And to make matters worse Liddle will also be without Adam Reach, who has returned to Middlesbrough on completion of his month-long loan.

Quakers caretaker boss admits he is disappointed to be losing his skipper but insists he must now focus on preparing his threadbare squad for Monday's game at the International Stadium.

"It's deteriorated over the last 24 hours," Liddle said. "Adam Reach has gone back to Middlesbrough and, unless something changes quickly, Ian Miller will have left the club by Boxing Day, so two out of my starting XI on Saturday will be gone, but we will just have to get on with it and make do with what we've got.

"Again, I'll bring a couple of the kids in, who haven't let anyone down in the last few weeks. It's going to be difficult for us but we can only go with what we've got and I'm sure the XI that I put out will give everything for the cause.

"Losing Ian will be a massive blow. I thought he was fantastic on Saturday. In an ideal situation I wouldn't have to switch the team around but it's not the case.''

He added: "Ian's been a fantastic servant to the club, someone you would like to build a team around but he's made the decision because of the off-field problems what is best for him and his family and he's taken that decision.

"It's disappointing but we've got to move on and try and get on with things and fill the gap Ian's left, which will be difficult.

"Hopefully he'll be the only one to have left by Monday, but going into the New Year there's a possibility others may depart. The chairman is back pretty soon from his business trip so once he comes back well all have a clearer picture where we are."

Despite the transfer embargo placed over Quakers, they were able to extend Reach's stay at the Arena, but Liddle revealed the Boro youngster opted to return to the Riverside.

He said: "I spoke to Adam yesterday and he's had a fantastic time and has enjoyed it, but he feels for his career he needs to go back to Middlesbrough.

"He's seen a few of the young lads getting opportunities in the first team, Curtis Main was on the bench for them last week, but he's gained from the experience here and he'll go back there a more confident player."